New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis had a chance to put the game away on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter Monday night. But instead of just falling on Laurence Maroney's fumble, Ellis tried to advance the ball and eventually lost the ball in a scrum.

New England made Ellis and the Saints pay for the mistake, marching 81 yards in eight plays for a touchdown to make it 24-17 New Orleans. Maroney scored on a 2-yard plunge but the big play on the drive was a 47-yard pass from Tom Brady to Randy Moss.

The Saints answered right back with a 3-play, 76-yard touchdown drive capped by Darnell Dinkins' 2-yard TD reception from Drew Brees. The big play was Marques Colston's 68-yard reception over Jonathan Wilhite. Dinkins was the 19th Saints player to score a touchdown this season.

It looked New England was going to score again but the Patriots' drive stalled at the New Orleans 10. It was fourth down. The Pats needed four yards. What would Coach Bill Belichick do? For the third time of the night he went for it. This time ageless wonder Mike McKenzie broke up the pass intended for Randy Moss and the Saints took over.

New England dominated time of possession this quarter but the Saints ended the period still up, 31-17.